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Thursday, October 18, 2012

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Stuffed with Andes Mints

It's about that time of year. Christmas baking time. Chocolate and mint is one of the combinations that reminds me of Christmas.

This is one of those classic Christmas cookie recipes with a little twist. It's more of a cakey cookie than a fudgy one, but it's soft and surprisingly light. I've modified it slightly to decrease the sweetness so you can enjoy the mint surprise in the middle even more.

I even made about half without rolling in powdered sugar, but they are not nearly as beautiful.

For once in my life, I have a start on something early because these are currently all cozy in my freezer just waiting for Christmas to arrive. Well, they're probably not too cozy. It is a freezer after all...This is so unlike me. I also have started a few Christmas gifts. Somebody needs to check on me. I'm not sure who this is! I've noticed that having a lot on my plate actually makes me more efficient. Anyone else notice this?

This recipe requires at least 3 hours to chill, so it does require a little working ahead. I made my dough the night before, chilled overnight, and baked in the morning.

In a large mixing bowl (stand mixer, if you have it), with paddle attachment, stir together the cocoa, sugar, and butter until well combined.

Add eggs to the cocoa mixture, one at a time, and stir until fully incorporated between each addition. Beat in the vanilla.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients while mixer is running and beat for 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container (4-cup capacity) and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.

Have your powdered sugar in a small bowl and your mint halves nearby for stuffing. Remove cold dough from refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

The dough will get stickier as it warms, so work as quickly as possible.

Scoop out a tablespoon-sized piece of dough and push half of a mint into the center. It works best to push them in with the thin edge first. Pinch together the surrounding dough to enclose the mint. Roll into a ball.

Roll the dough in your powdered sugar bowl to cover completely and place on an ungreased cookie pan. Place cookies about 2 inches apart on the pan and bake for about 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to rest on pans for 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or in a freezer for up to 3 months.

See that mint hiding in the middle? It's the best when all melted and warm, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at a room temperature cookie either...

I think I know what my mom is getting for Christmas this year!! Years ago she found a recipe for chocolate cookies with Andes mint "frosting." I made them for her and she liked them so much she asked for them for Christmas a few years later when I'd gone off to college. I think I'll use my great grandma's chocolate crinkle cookie recipe and give these a go! Thank you for a brilliant idea, Loretta! I saw these pics on Willow Bird Baking--I'm excited to poke around your blog more!

AM, Isn't it the highest compliment when years later someone is still talking about a recipe you made for them? Plus, it's extra great that you actually have a family recipe to use! I'm sure your mom will love them and thanks for coming by!

I finally made these today! They are delicious, especially warm from the oven. I used a different chocolate crinkle recipe (calls for bittersweet baking chocolate instead of cocoa powder). MMMMmmmm! My mom just texted me "fyi: baking sucks!" That's why I'm the baker in the family. After her last two cookie recipes failed, she's sure to love these!

These cookies look fantastic! I had seen chocolate crinkle cookies as well as Andes-stuffed cookies before, but never together. I think you have done the best thing since peanut butter was introduced to jelly. These are a definite on my holiday baking list (if I can wait that long).

I love chocolate mint cookies. My mom had a similar recipe she makes at christmas with the mint melted on top! yum. Sorry I missed the link party. :(Would love if you came and linked up with us. We’re giving away one free week of ad space for one lucky feature, and our blog gets thousands of hits per day! Hope to see you there!http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/the-humble-brag-link-party-4/

Thanks so much for linking up last week at the Humble Brag! Hope to see you back tomorrow to link up more great projects and see if you were featured and/or won the free ad space.http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/the-humble-brag-link-party-5/

Hey there

I have some Finnish blood in me which makes me slightly stubborn/persistent. And I'm learning that health encompasses more than movement and what you put in your body. For me, cooking and baking for others is a labor of love. I hope I can inspire you to show you and your family some love!